FBR collects Rs577bn in six months
The Federal Board of Revenue has collected Rs577.337 billion during July-Dec, 2009-10 as against Rs553.833 billion collected during the same more... (D)

'Government has to keep budget deficit at 4.2 percent to avoid IMF programme setback' The government has to restrict budget deficit to 4.2 percent, otherwise the International Monterey Fund (IMF) programme is likely to suffer setback. It has to lay more emphasis on revenue generation to make the 7TH National Finance Commission (NFC) Award a success, as 60 percent of total tax collection will be consumed by debt servicing next year more... (BR)

Malaysia registers 31 percent increase in import from Pakistan Malaysia has registered 31 percent increase in import from Pakistan by importing goods valued at $124.38 million as compared to import of $94.39 million in the corresponding period of last year. According to data released by the Board of Investment of Pakistan and Trade Development Authority during July-June 2008-09, Malaysia has emerged 25th largest importer from Pakistan out of 40 top importing countries and first in the South East Asian region more... (BR)

No direct military intervention in Pakistan: US
The White House, however, said that the US will continue to use “actionable intelligence” to target Al Qaeda hideouts more... (D)

Holbrooke to arrive next week
US special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, plans to visit both countries next week as part of "routine" consultations with their governments, said a spokeswoman for his office. En route to the region, Holbrooke will stop over in Abu Dhabi for meetings with other special envoys ahead of an international conference on Afghanistan in London on January 28, said the spokeswoman, who asked not to be identified more... (BR)

President's power to dissolve NA must go: committee
The committee agreed to bind the president to consult public office holders before appointing caretaker govts more... (D)

NIT-LoC holder banks: SBP moves to prevent ‘forced sale'
The State Bank of Pakistan on Saturday gave ‘dispensation’ over the Prudential Regulation (PR)-6 to the NIT’s Letter of Comfort (LoC) holders more... (D)

IPPs owe PSO Rs79bn
The problem of circular debt has surfaced once again as power sector still has to pay Rs79 billion to Pakistan State Oil (PSO). According to the figures provided by the Pakistan State Oil (PSO) to private television news channel here Wednesday, PSO's overall receipts are Rs86 billion while PSO owes Rs59 billion to oil refineries. Arrears of Wapda are Rs31 billion, Hub Power Company Rs29 billion and Kot Addu Power Company (KAPCO) is under debt of Rs16 billion. Circular debt has also affected electricity production, the channel added more... (FD)

SBP to launch Electronic Bond Trading Platform on Monday
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) will launch its first Electronic Bond Trading Platform (E-Bond) on January 11 to develop a secondary market for the trading of government securities. Arrangements for the formal launch of the E-Bond have almost been completed and, in the first phase, three government securities including Government of Pakistan 'Ijara Sukuk', 'Market Treasury Bills' and 'Pakistan Investment Bond' would be traded at newly introduced platform through 10 primary dealers more... (BR)

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